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A:
Dear Pulling my Hair out in Philadelphia:
Obviously your son is not happy with his regular school program.
His main interest appears to be reading (but maybe not the books
they're reading in school), computers and art.
My first suggestion is, if you can
afford it, to enroll him in after-school activities that cater
to those interests, help him get around to different libraries
(which are free) and encourage him to share his printed work and
his artwork with his teachers and classmates. Maybe if his teachers
see what he's doing it will give them some ideas about how to
help him find his niche within the regular program.
I also suggest you try to find some
time to do special things with him, like going to museums, science
and computer exhibits. Throw in a visit to an ice cream store
and make an afternoon of it. He needs to know that he's "okay",
even though he's having a rough time in school.
Unfortunately, not all schools are
into creating special programs for special kids, especially when
the kid doesn't have a serious learning problem. Children like
your son sometimes fall between the cracks. Ask for a meeting
with his teachers (including computer and art teachers), the guidance
counselor and the librarian. Maybe he can spend part of his school
time working independently on projects that interest him and that
use the skills or information that he needs in his regular schoolwork;
maybe those teachers will be able to develop a good relationship
with him so at least there can be some authority figures within
in the school around whom he feels good.
WholeMom
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